How can I print from an iPad 2 when I am out on business calls and may not have wifi - only 4G?

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Level 1

18 points

How can I print from an iPad 2 when I am out on business calls and may not have wifi - only 4G?

My father has an iPad 2. He's a contractor and drives around to customers houses all day writing estimates. He wants to be able to print an estimate as soon as he enters writes it up, on the spot.

All of the AirPrint information I am finding says you need to be connected to the same Wifi network. What's the point of a compact wireless printer if you are out on the go and can't print when not connected to wifi? Is there any printer that can print via bluetooth? Or is there something maybe I'm not getting?

I'm looking to buy him a small printer that he can keep in his truck for easy estimates in lieu of going home, typing it up, mailing it to the customer.... Helpppppp 🙂 Thanks

iPad 2

Posted on Oct 28, 2015 8:10 AM

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Answer 1

rccharles

Level 6

13,037 points

Oct 28, 2015 10:53 AM in response to jlawlor613

All of the AirPrint information I am finding says you need to be connected to the same Wifi network.

I'm a little confused on this point too. I think that the ipad can establishes it's own wifi network between an airprint enabled printer and the ipad. This would be called an adhock wifi connection. It could be dependent on what printer you buy. Look through all my links. You will see various solutions.

It has taken a long time for manufactures to sell an airprint enabled mobile printer.

Mobile printing.

probably the best solution -- HP Mobile 100 or HP Mobile 150 printers using HP 1200w NFC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zVfCpT4X84

Brother PocketJet® 673

-- Prints on a variety of 8.5" wide thermal media.

-- Print PDF files from your iPhone and iPad with the PJ-673 Print app

http://www.brother-usa.com/Mobile/ModelDetail.aspx?ProductID=pj673-k&PG=26#.UeX0 Z18pDDJ

"Mobi Print gives its users the capability to use iOS devices to accomplis iOS mobile printing, such as iPads, iPhones, and other Apple products, to print with any of Zebra’s mobile, CPL, & ZPL printers. "

http://www.arrowheadphx.com/mobi-print/

Older solutions

This blogger found one solution.

http://genuinely-original.blogspot.com/search/label/iPad%20Printing

Make Portable Printing Easier with Print n Share and the Brother RJ-4040

http://prmac.com/release-id-44494.htm

Use an airprinter with a power inverter

http://genuinely-original.blogspot.com/search/label/iPad%20Printing

see makethisstuffwork post in:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4987217?tstart=0

Wearable printer

select the iMZ320 Mobile Printer. Prints via an iPad app.

http://www.zebra.com/us/en/products-services/printers/printer-type/mobile/mz-ser ies.html

"Mobi Print gives its users the capability to print (bluetooth or wifi) PDF's, Images or Cloud based label formats to Zebra mobile or desktop printers on iOS devices."

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mobi-print/id701088704?ls=1&mt=8

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List of supported AirPrinters.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201311

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